Spinal Anatomy Flashcards
Holds dens in fovea dentalis of atlas (the indent on posterior side of anterior tubercle)
Transverse Ligament
C0 to body of C2
Cross-Shaped
Includes the transverse ligament as horizontal portion
Cruciate Ligament
Limits rotation of C2
Sides of dens to occipital condyles
aka “Check Ligament”
Alar Ligament
Limits flexion/extension of C2
Apex of dens to anterior aspect of foramen
Apical Dental Ligament
21 ligaments connecting Pia to Dura along with spinal cord (Dural Torque Theory)
Dentate Ligaments
Limits Extension.
Front of vertebral bodies from the sacrum to C2
Anterior Longitudinal Ligament (ALL)
Continuation of the ALL from Atlas to Occiput
Anterior Atlanto-Occipital Ligament
Limits Flexion.
Back of vertebral bodies (anterior portion of canal)
Wider in cervicals, thinner in lumbars, thinnest at L5
Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (PLL)
Continuation of the PLL from C2 to Occiput
Tectorial Membrane
Most important of the posterior ligaments in limiting Flexion
Lamina to Lamina (posterior portion of canal)
Has a high elastic content (name means yellow)
Ligamentum Flavum
Continuation of the Ligamentum Flavum from C2 to C1
Posterior Atlanto-Axial ligament
Continuation of the Ligamentum Flavum from C1 to C0
Posterior Atlanto-Occipital ligament
Ligament between the articular processes
Capsular ligament
Ligament between the transverse processes (TVP’s)
Intertransverse Ligament
Ligament between the spinous processes (SP’s)
Interspinous Ligament
Ligament from spinous to spinous
Supraspinous Ligament
Continuation of Supraspinous ligament from C7 to occiput
Ligamentum Nuchae
Found between the bodies from C2-C3 to the L/S junction
Intervertebral Discs (IVD’s)
What are the two basic components of the IVD?
1) A central, gelatinous Nucleus Pulposus
2) Peripheral, fibrocartilaginous Annulus Fibrosis
What limits the amount of torsion allowed on the disc, and the amount of rotation of the vertebrae?
Allows the disc to adapt to stress.
Annulus Fibrosis
Outer portion of the IVD has a blood supply innervated by the _____.
Sinuvertebral Nerves
During the aging process, the water content gradually decreases causing more disc herniations. Where are disc herniations rare due to increased disc thickness?
Thoracic region
What are the pressure changes in the disc?
Recumbent < Standing < Sitting < Sitting leaning forward < Jumping
What is the weakest part of the disc?
Posterolateral aspect (d/t narrowing of PLL)
What causes disc end plate fracture but not herniation?
Compressive load
Nutrition to the disc is by way of _____.
Imbibition (motion)
Connective Tissue coverings arranged in three distinct layers that connect and protect the spinal cord from excessive movement and damage.
Meninges
The most external layer of meninges is the _____, which is thick and tough connective tissue.
It is continuous from the cranial cavity to the sacrum.
It covers individual nerve roots and nerves as they exit the spinal canal.
The sleeves follow the nerves to the IVF and surround a swelling, which represents the location of the Dorsal Root Ganglion.
Dura Matter
The layer of meninges that is more delicate and avascular and is attached to the inner surface of the dura.
Thin web-like projections extend from here to the pia mater.
Arachnoid mater
A single cell connective tissue layer that adheres directly to the surface of the neural tissue, including the individual cranial and spinal rootlets.
Pia mater
A series of pial projections, located primarily in the thoracic region, which project from the lateral surface of the spinal cord, penetrate the arachnoid and anchor to the dura. They give the “Dural Torque Theory” of rotational stress or the concept of meningeal torsion.
Dentate ligaments
IVF:
- Opens in _____
- Decreases in _____
Open in Flexion
Decreases in Extension
IVF Boundaries:
- Anterior
- Superior and Inferior
- Posterior
Anterior: Bodies (cervical & uncinates) and IVD
Sup/Inf: Pedicles
Posterior: Zygopophyseal Joints (Facet Joints)
What are the anatomic contents of the IVF?
Spinal nerve, Nerve roots, Recurrent meningeal nerves, Blood vessels, Lymphatics & Connect Tissue
What is the order of compression in the IVF?
Adipose Tissue, Veins, Arteries, Nerves
What is located inside the IVF and is most sensitive to compression?
Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)
What is located inside the IVF and is most affected by a subluxation?
DRG
